Marlin 336 or Winchester M70 Featherweight? Help!

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frpaquette

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Hey guys,

I'm about to make a purchase of my first hunting rifle, but I need some input. I know these two guns don't really belong in the same category, but I've narrowed down my choice to either a Marlin 336 in 30-30, or a Model 70 Featherweight in .270. I'll be hunting cutlines and crown land in northern Alberta at first, but I'll have opportunities to hunt open prairie down south with family as well. This gun will act as my main hunting rifle for deer, and will eventually serve as a backup for moose and elk once I pickup a dedicated rifle for that (lets not get sidetracked though). I've tried to factor in initial purchase price ($490 vs $730, before optics), availability and price of ammo (nearly the same, edge goes to 30-30), usefulness in different situations (most notably is the extra range with the .270), and lastly overall good looks and attractiveness (both are beautiful, it's a toss up). I need some help guys! What would you do if you were me?
 
If you're hunting at longer ranges, a bolt gun shines. If you are hunting in the bush, the lever shines. From what it sounds like, I would go with the Winchester, but personally would keep the caliber above a .30 cal. Both calibers will kill, and have killed lots of game and will continue to do so for decades to come, but a .308 in a bolt gun might be a better option. I know that pump rifles are shunned in Alberta, but this might be a good mix between woods and open fields. I'm sure there will be better advice coming along shortly!
 
How come you both suggest to go with a 30 caliber? I don't really know if I want to get into the 270 vs 30-06 debate right now, I've sort of settled on the 270 after weighing both options. And I'm not sure if I understand the fishing rod comment...
 
Used to live in Alberta. Have hunted with 30.30, 25.06, 30.06 and 300 WM.

You're going to run into opportunities beyond 250 yds, probably on the odd Alberta whitetail hog buck from hell, too. You don't really want to be limited with a 30.30 at moments like that.

Go with bolt rifle in .270, in a WSM is even better, and you'll be set for life. Indeed, you'll have to invent excuses to justify buying another rifle...as most of us generally do.

Flatter shooting than a 30.06 or .308 and as flat as any 30 cal magnum you'd wanna suffer, less recoil, and will cleanly knock down deer, elk and moose all day long, and then some.

110 to 130 gr for deer, and 130 to 150 gr for elk and moose. Just don't cheap out on the ammo, always go for the premium bullets like Nosler, Barnes, etc, which are available from Federal, Hornady, etc. I would add, don't hesitate to use Fusion, either. Great bang for the buck in these.
 
Price seems to be the problem so go with
SAVAGE EDGE BLUED / SYNTHETIC BOLT .270 WIN 22" BBL, MATTE BLUED FINISH, SYNTHETIC STOCK, DETACHABLE MAGAZINE, RECOIL PAD, DR & TAPPED FOR SCOPE MOUNT, SWIVEL STUDS $350

or

SAVAGE 110GLXP3 PACKAGE (LEFT HAND) BOLT .270 WIN 22" BBL, BLUED FINISH, HARDWOOD STOCK, ACCU TRIGGER, 3-9 X 40 SCOPE, INTERNAL BOX MAGAZINE, LEATHER SLING, LEFT HAND $614.25

Just ideas, Elwood Epps as well as many of the other vendors up top have other less expensive models than the Winchester with and without scope.

Moving Target has a Rem Mod 600 .308 -------$450.00 short fast bolt great for bush and no slouch at longer shots. Actually probably the best rifle for you for the time being. Only major thing I hate about the 600 is the plastic trigger guard.
 
Applefarmer, thanks for the suggestions, but I'm not sure how price seems like a problem. Clearly (apparently not), if I've narrowed down my choice to these two rifles then they are both well within my budget. I simply stated that price was one of many metrics I've been comparing. Please limit any advice to the two rifles I'm trying to decide between.
 
I think very good advice is to buy the rifle and scope separately.

Yes, some makers offer packages...but you can just about bet the farm that the scope involved is gonna be of somewhat questionable quality...as in, probably no-name brand made in China and supplied dirt cheap to the gun maker.

If the retailer has put together the package price, then do some homework on the scope he's supplying first to make sure you're getting something suitable and of the kind of quality you expect.

Concentrate first on the rifle, and then dedicate some research into putting the right scope for the kind of hunting you're going to be doing with it. There's lots of very decent quality glass available for most hunting purposes in the $250 to $350 range from very reputable manufacturers.

That said...

You can buy a brand new Savage for $350??? That is, IMHO, a helluva deal on a pretty good rifle!!! Savage's are no slouch in the accuracy department, either.

Boy...it's been a long time I guess since I went shopping for a rifle. :)
 
3 year's ago I had to make the choice you are , some bush and some beanfield hunting . I went with the Win fwt in .270wsm as a standard .270 wasn't readily available . I've been very happy with the performance on deer , elk and moose , havn't regretted the choice I made for a second . Good Luck
 
You've narrowed down your choice to two nice rifles, both of which are excellent. However, given the hunting conditions you've mentioned (i.e., the opportunity for shots at 250+yds), without a doubt I'd go for the Win 70 FWT.

The FWT is a classy looking rifle and will serve you well. As much as I like Marlins, if you're looking for that one gun, I think the choice is pretty clear.
 
the Winchester will do everything you ask but the Marlin will not.

A 270 is effective at close range and the extra couple inches of lenght is only a minor inconvienence rather than a handicap.

the model 70 is a classic hunting rifle that has proven itself over the years you really cannot go wrong with one.
 
the Winchester will do everything you ask but the Marlin will not.

A 270 is effective at close range and the extra couple inches of lenght is only a minor inconvienence rather than a handicap.

the model 70 is a classic hunting rifle that has proven itself over the years you really cannot go wrong with one.
Click to expand...

:agree:


And that's why I have Model 70 Fwt's in .270WCF, .270WSM & .338-06 :rockOn:
 
There is nothing wrong with your selection of .270 Winchester in the Featherweight. Use the right ammunition, and bullet, selection and you are good to go for hunting close and for the longer distances.
I have a Featherweight, and the one additional piece of advice I would add is to choose your scope carefully. Don't overbalance your nice Featherweight with too large of a scope. If you keep it small you will continue to have a good rifle for carrying and for fast responsive shooting.
Mine has a Leupold compact 4x, and it is a joy to carry and can still do the business on the prairies. If you put a big 4.5 to 16x scope on it you might find it less friendly for carrying around.
 
+1 on the Model 70 Featherweight in .270. With an appropriate scope, it will easily cover all your bases from brush to open prairie. Something like a 1.5-6x or 2-7x variable would work well; even a 1-4x scope wouldn't be that much of a handicap for big game at reasonable ranges.

Many lightweight bolt action rifles have a comparable weight and length to the traditional .30-30 leverguns, but are chambered for more flat-shooting cartridges that don't have the range handicap of the .30-30.
 
I hunt up in northern alberta and have both rifles in question except the 270 is a savage, and whenever i go out i take both out but the 30-30 is a backup that stays in the truck the 270 is the go to rifle
 
Alright guys, thanks for the suggestions. I've been leaning towards the Winchester, but I needed some advice from people with experience.

Many of you have cautioned not to put too large a scope that will overbalance the Featherweight. I was thinking of picking up a 3-9x40, probably a Bushnell 3200 (I can't seem to justify the cost of a Leupold). Is that size of scope going to work well with the 270's range? Does anyone have experience with some of the lesser Bushnell's, ie. Legend? Is it worth it to pay the extra $50 or so and step up to a 3200?
 
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